Foreign NGO and Ipoh clinic help low-income folk spay female dogs for free

A US-based animal welfare non-governmental organisation (NGO) called Filbert’s Foundation for Furry Friends (F5) is offering free spaying services for low-income individuals with female dogs in Ipoh, Malaysia. F5 has partnered with Mercy Veterinary Clinic in Taman Ipoh Timur to implement a programme aimed at preventing unwanted puppy births and pet abandonment. Interested pet owners in Ipoh with a combined household income of less than RM3,500 can apply for the programme. Independent rescuers are also eligible to apply. Once approved, participants can schedule an appointment with the veterinary clinic to have their pets or stray dogs spayed.

Under the programme, F5 will fully sponsor the spaying procedure. Additionally, participants will receive one-day boarding for their dogs and a one-time flea and tick prevention treatment. A similar programme was previously initiated by Fur Kids Wellness Centre in Petaling Jaya, where over 50 female dogs were spayed at a cost of less than RM12,000 between May and July of this year. F5’s President, Dr Namita Gill, explained that the focus is exclusively on spaying female dogs because it is more effective for population control, according to the International Companion Animal Management (ICAM) Coalition.

Due to limited funds, F5 prioritizes spaying female dogs. To identify spayed dogs, the tip of their ear will be cropped. If funding is sufficient, Dr Namita hopes to continue the programme indefinitely, collaborating with more veterinarians in Ipoh. Dr Namita emphasized the importance of spaying and neutering in addressing the stray dog population and pet abandonment issues. Rescuers often face financial strain as they bear the costs of feeding, neutering, and providing medical care for abandoned dogs.

The act of abandoning pets is a punishable offense under Section 29 of the Animal Welfare Act in Malaysia. Owners found guilty of abandoning their pets may face a maximum fine of RM100,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Those witnessing such acts are urged to collect evidence and report to the Veterinary Services Department. Reports can be submitted through the official website: https://awa.dvs.gov.my/support.

For more information on this programme, individuals can visit the following website: https://f5strays.org/update. They can also contact Shanti at 017-442 9352 or Tan at 016-553 9923.